Samsung's virtual reality-producing pair of Galaxy Note 4-powered goggles have gone on sale in the US on the manufacturer's website. Gear VR Innovator Edition, as the experimental product is actually called, is available for $199.99.

The Gear VR is offered on Samsung.com and ATT.com. It's priced the same at both sites, comes in white, and obviously does not contain a Galaxy Note 4. You're going to have to buy that separately. Developers who pick one up are also able to download the Oculus Mobile SDK.

Samsung Gear VR Innovator Edition Now Available in United States

Samsung’s First Virtual Reality Product powered by Oculus Set to Inspire and Entertain

December 8, 2014 – DALLAS – Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC (Samsung) announced today that the Samsung Gear™ VR Innovator Edition powered by Oculus is now available in the U.S. Using the Galaxy Note® 4, Gear VR Innovator Edition gives content creators and VR enthusiasts a chance to get their hands on the first low persistence virtual reality experience powered by a smartphone, enabling developers and early adopters to see and experience content as it is created.

“With Gear VR Innovator Edition, Samsung is putting the device in the hands of creators to craft amazing experiences, as we define this new mobile category together,” said Justin Denison, vice president, Product Strategy and Marketing, Samsung Telecommunications America. “This is a great opportunity for the enthusiast community, developers and Samsung to get feedback and continue to innovate in this exciting new space.”

At launch, Gear VR Innovator Edition includes sample gaming and experiential content like HeroBound, a whimsical dungeon exploration adventure, Anshar Wars, a multiplayer space shooter, and theBlu, an exploration of undersea life, along with a number of other titles and demos. There will also be a variety of 3D 360° video content available, such as a specially filmed portion of the Cirque du Soleil show, Zarkana. These made-for-VR demos, games, and experiences are available for download through the Oculus platform.

Gear VR Innovator Edition is available for $199 online at Samsung.com and ATT.com.

Full details are available at www.samsungmobilepress.com and www.samsung.com. Developers can access the Oculus Mobile SDK at developer.oculus.com/. Software updates required for Galaxy Note 4 based on carrier availability.

Comments

jonathan3579

I'm sorry but I just don't see any purpose for this.

Eric Satao

Yes, from the company that brought you 'cheap' monitors and cheap phones (and many other bad and expensive products that have been perfectly timed and massively hyped via paid articles), comes a new half-finished, flimsy and cheap accessory for their biggest phone. Though it's not so cheap since it's about the same price as oculus, at least you can now justify buying a 7' phone other than being a massive douche with a size complex :))) #samsungSuckes

Along with some sensors (accelerator, gyrometer, magnetic, proximity) an optical lens, and a couple of buttons.

srelyt

It doesn't use the phone sensors ?

Guest

What? It does serve a function, this thing has all the sensors inside! Using your phone accelerometer and gyroscope for VR would suck.
They are not charging $199 for a piece of plastic that holds your phone.

Yes, it does serve a function, but it does not serve a function *on its own*. You need A Galaxy Note 4 to actually get any use out of it.

guesty

I happen to have one of these Note 4's. I've noticed with high-end games (Modern-combat, dead trigger, etc.), with the higher resolution screen, I actually have to turn quality settings down to ensure the game will run smoothly. Pushing twice as many pixels seems to come with a cost. I'm curious, but not $200 curious at this point.

GazaIan

Yeah, but they are charging $199 for a device that you still need your phone to use.

John Smith

But a phone's graphics aren't all that good, especially compared to PC gaming

Chris

I agree with you, a gaming rig is certainly going to deliver a better experience, although not all content requires a gaming Rig. I'm curious to see what the note 4 could do well. It could certainly do 3d video, and some level of 3d rendering. Maybe android police will do a review when the physical device is available.

Scott Standish-Parkin

I have actually used this at the engadget event here in NY and it was an amaz....no....it was awful. "but you can use this to look down hallways by looking at arrows.

Rep: Think of how easy it'll be to explore homes and apartments when house hunting."
Me: Oh thats neat, so I could use my already existing device to take pictures and create my own environment?
Rep: Well...no. you need to buy like this $4000 camera and to set everything up yourself is kind of hard
Me: Oh....Why would I buy this then? I feel like my 3DS is superior with 3D capabilities and it doesn't require me to look like I want to be antisocial and belong on a Sci-Fi set.
Rep: Well thats one way of looking at it, but there is going to be a lot more apps and you should consider it once you get a chance because they are going to sell out!

This is one Kickstarter project I am not supporting!

lanxinger

Do you guys know if this is compatible with any Galaxy Note 4 variant out there or does it only work with the US line of phones? I have a N910U which is used in Australia and Hong Kong and wanted to get the Gear VR from the US.

rsteeb

Stooksy VR -Spektiv --A MUCH better deal!!

Razo_E

Can I try before I buy? I have a note 4, but $200 is steep for something that'll get used only at parties for a few minutes.

Bruce Kraft

Well since the note edge is a note 4 variant, does that mean a note edge will work?